With the release of One Man Army, the forthcoming new studio offering from Finnish folk metal collective, ENSIFERUM, now just two weeks away, today Loudwire offers up “Heathen Horde” for public consumption.
Captured by award-winning producer Anssi Kippo (Children Of Bodom, Impaled Nazarene, Entwine etc.) at Astia-Studios in Lappeenranta, Finland, the predominantly analog-recorded One Man Army wields eleven tracks of the band’s signature synthesis of Viking, folk and power metal swathed in fantastical themes of Scandinavian lore. Already reaping critical acclaim from media outlets globally, Metal Hammer gushes of the record: “ENSIFERUM have produced their most polished album to date; one that bulges with bombast and rages with frostbitten grit… these northern sword-wielders are close to finding the perfect recipe for taking folk into the mainstream of metal – all without losing a shred of authenticity.”
Notes Loudwire, “ENSIFERUM has become one of folk metal’s finest acts, experiencing a huge surge in popularity during the last few years. ENSIFERUM‘s music awakens one’s inner warrior… it’s a pity fighting to the death with swords and battle axes is illegal nowadays.”
Sample third movement, “Heathen Horde,” now playing at Loudwire, at THIS LOCATION.
Following recent performances at the 2015 edition of the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise, ENSIFERUM will pillage their way through Europe later this month, brandishing their swords alongside Insomnium and Omnium Gatherum.
ENSIFERUM w/ Frosttide:
2/27/2015 Pakkahuone – Tampere, FI
2/28/2015 Rytmikorjaamo – Seianajoki, FI
3/06/2015 Lutakko – Jyvaskyla, FI
3/07/2015 Nosturi – Helsinki, FI
w/ Craving:
3/10/2015 Schlachthof – Lingen, DE (“Fan Appreciation Show” by EMP)
w/ Insomnium, Omnium Gatherum:
3/11/2015 Zeche – Bochum, DE
3/12/2015 Rockfabrik – Ludwigsburg, DE
3/13/2015 Backstage – München, DE
3/14/2015 Masters of Rock Café – Zlin, CZ
3/15/2015 Club 202 – Budapest, HU
3/16/2015 Szene – Wien, AT
3/18/2015 Live Club – Milan, IT
3/19/2015 Les Docks – Lausanne, CH
3/20/2015 La Laiterie – Strasbourg, FR
3/21/2015 Z7 – Pratteln, CH
3/22/2015 Ninkasi Kao – Lyon, FR
3/23/2015 Le Bataclan – Paris, FR
3/24/2015 O2 Academy Islington- London, UK
3/25/2015 Patronaat – Haarlem, NL
3/26/2015 Hedon – Zwolle, NL
3/27/2015 Biebob – Vosselaar, BE
3/28/2015 Tivoli – Bremen, DE
3/29/2015 Grünspan – Hamburg, DE
3/30/2015 Vega – Copenhagen, DK
3/31/2015 Göta Källare – Stockholm, SE
4/01/2015 Sticky Fingers – Gothenburg, SE
4/02/2015 Inferno Metal Festival – Oslo, NO
Summer Festivals 2015:
8/13/2015 Rockstadt Extremefest – Rasnov, DE
6/19/2015 – 6/21/2015 Hellfest – Clisson, FR
7/30/2015 – 8/1/2015 Wacken Open Air – Wacken, DE
8/06/2015 – 8/8/2015 Party San Open Air – Schlotheim, DE
8/08/2015 – Into The Grave Festival – Leeuwarden, NL
8/09/2015 Bloodstock Open Air – Walton-On-Trent, GB
8/13/2015 – 8/15/2015 Summer Breeze – Dinkelsbühl, DE
Forged in 1995 as a trio by guitarist/vocalist Markus Toivonen, and presently featuring current and former members of October Falls, Rapture, Norther, Barathrum and Sinergy, ENSIFERUM has been flying the flag of epic, folk-infused death metal high and proud for two decades.
The band’s One Man Army full-length will be released via Metal Blade Records on February 24th, 2015 and includes an accompanying four-track bonus CD. Preorder bundles for One Man Army are currently available at THIS LOCATION where you’ll also find the band’s recently debuted “One Man Army” video and companion making-of footage. For iTunes preorders, point your browser HERE.
http://www.facebook.com/Ensiferum
http://www.ensiferum.com
http://www.metalblade.com/ensiferum